Exercising on a regular basis is fundamental for keeping the body and mind healthy. Hence, it is essential to have an exercise routine to maintain your health. Thirty minutes of moderate aerobic activity each day is mandatory if you want to stay fit and healthy. Of course, exercising doesn’t necessarily have to imply going out and running in the park or hitting the gym. It is because you can also work out at home, with the aid of fitness equipment and proper guidance. Although you can find many Cheltenham gyms to keep your health in check, having a reliable machine like a treadmill is essential to help you push for consistency.
Doing the exercise on a treadmill is one of the safest and most effective ways to lose weight, strengthen muscles, and build endurance. Treadmills are also valuable for individuals who have knee injuries or joint pain keeping them from outdoor walking or jogging. It allows walking at any speed to meet individual fitness goals without risking injury. You can avail yourself of plenty of treadmill benefits by simply using a treadmill. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Top 7 treadmill health benefits
Here is a comprehensive list of the top seven benefits of working out on treadmills:
- Improves heart health
Treadmills are known for their cardiovascular benefits. It can play a huge role in heart health, especially when you have high cholesterol or cardiovascular issues. Treadmill work can help diagnose cardiac problems like heart disease and artery blockages. Under such circumstances, your body may not exhibit symptoms of these heart conditions. However, those symptoms will be displayed when put under pressure through a workout. Treadmill working is a cardio exercise. Many studies state that aerobic exercise can minimise the risk of heart diseases. Moreover, they can strengthen your heart muscles so they can pump blood more efficiently.
- Strengthens the muscles
Treadmills are cardio machines most often used for cardiovascular workouts. However, treadmill workouts can also strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health. Treadmill workouts help tone and build muscles in your buttocks, legs and thighs—including the glutes, calves and thighs. Inclining the treadmill makes it harder to run uphill, which will help you stretch out your calves and glutes while building muscle mass in these areas. By engaging different muscle groups in your body—including the abdominal muscles—you will achieve a full-body workout that tones your stomach, back, arms, shoulders and chest. Holding weights while training on a treadmill will increase your workout intensity further by engaging more muscle groups at once.
- Effective weight loss
Running or jogging on a treadmill can help you lose weight, burn fat and strengthen your knees and joints. This makes it a great way of exercising indoors. It is also the most popular advantage of doing treadmill exercises. Another great way of burning calories quickly is through high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Yet, lower-intensity workouts will also help you to lose weight. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention suggests 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Many studies indicate that the average person can burn 400-600 calories by jogging or walking for 4 miles on a treadmill.
- Better quality of sleep
Walking or running on the treadmill machine can help you sleep better at night, as cardiovascular activities boost melatonin release, allowing you to sleep more soundly. A study found that beginner treadmill workouts led to energy depletion, which stimulates the therapeutic process during sleep. In contrast, another found that working out leads to a rise in body temperature, which helps decrease it during sleep and improves sleep quality. Several studies have quoted that exercise improves sleep quality. A routine of good workouts and a clean diet can heal issues like insomnia and help you sleep more soundly and more prolonged than in the controlled group.
- Maintained mental health
A large number of people suffer from depression, and in order to combat this, they engage in various types of exercises. Running on the treadmill is the most prevalent workout people opt for as it significantly impacts your mood and overall mental health. It triggers the release of endorphins and happiness hormones released by the nervous system. Consequently, your mood improves while signs of stress, depression and anxiety decrease. Moreover, running can increase brain sensitivity to two hormones that relieve depression and stress symptoms: norepinephrine and serotonin.
Balances blood sugar level
Regular exercise, particularly treadmill workouts, can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. It also helps regulate insulin, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes. Insulin is the hormone that allows body cells to use blood glucose for energy. Exercising regularly on a treadmill lowers blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Similarly, exercising on a workout machine for more than 20 minutes can enhance insulin sensitivity. It refers to a condition in which the human body fails to utilize insulin properly. Note that this condition can occur in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
- Lesser physical stress
Running on a treadmill can help reduce the impact on your body. Running on concrete has long-term negative consequences since it puts pressure on your joints, bones, and muscles. At the same time, running on a treadmill means running on an even surface. It means there’s a reduced risk of tripping and falling. Running outside instead can be an activity dotted with dangers. Rocks, potholes, and uneven track sections can cause serious injuries.
Factors to consider before buying a treadmill
A variety of factors and features should be considered to find the most suitable treadmill. Here are some factors and features to consider include:
- Motor power
Most treadmills have continuous power ratings, with the higher rating generally indicating a smoother motion and a more powerful motor.
- Running surface area
The running or walking surface should be comprehensive and long enough to accommodate a stride without causing the user to trip.
- Cushioning quality
Cushioning quality should provide sufficient cushioning to minimize the impact on joints while allowing enough bounce to provide a stable feel.
Conclusion
Treadmills can help you improve your health in many ways. Running or walking on a treadmill can reduce signs of depression, minimise symptoms of stress, anxiety, and mental tension, and help you lose weight. They can also provide a relaxing outlet for you if you are unable to go hiking or do other outdoor activities.